Around this time fourteen years ago, my journey at what would later become my second home began. Sadly almost two months ago this said journey came to a close. This journey brought me the best friends, experiences, and lessons that I could have ever had. For that, I am forever grateful.

Thank you for the people

The people I have met through dance have been some of the greatest people to have ever walked into my life. They are the only ones to have understood what it is like to be at a dance competition all weekend. They are the ones to constantly see you late at night when you are so tired and overwhelmed from school but yet keep coming to dance class.

Thank you for the comfort

Hard times do come from time to time, and indeed they did. But dance, my second home, was my safe haven. A place where I felt I could be 100% me without regret.

Thank you for the lessons I didn't even know I needed

Dance has taught me not only to be myself, but it has taught me who I am. It shaped me into the person I am today. I learned the true value of hard work and how the only time you have truly failed is when you decide to give up.

I learned how to balance school and dance rather than let my grades slip and claim that I simply did not have time for homework. School came first and I learned how to utilize every spare minute of time so that I could continue to make all my dance classes.

Thank you for the opportunities

Not many people can say they danced at Disney World twice and once during a Disney Cruise. I can!

The adventures I went on whether they were to dance competitions in other states or getting to perform in such exciting places are times that I will never forget.

Not only did dance give me the opportunity to travel to new places, it also gave me the opportunity to try other things as well.

My sophomore year of high school I decided to try out for a featured dancer role in the musical being put on that year. I met and grew closer with people at school that shared the great passion of dance with me. I also enjoyed theatre so much that I then continued on with it my junior year.

Senior year I joined the high school dance line and yet again grew close with so many girls who I would not have met had it not been for dance.

Dance, thank you for having the most influence on my life thus far. While I am still sad that it is over, I cannot wait to discover my other passions in these upcoming four years at Mississippi State University.